Salem, Nov 02: Around 1000 persons, today blocked a rail track near the Athur Railway Station, demanding that the existing metre gauge section be converted to broadgauge. Police said members of several welfare associations and political parties and some train passengers, who had squatted on the track, were later persuaded to leave the place and the crowd left.
The people of the area have been demanding for gauge conversion between Salem and Vridachalam, since 1999-2000, but they were angered over no action being taken. Hence, the agitation.
Following the incident, a passenger train on Salem to Vridachalam route, was delayed by over half-an-hour.
Bureau Report